Rebody 507 Tribute Build thread

[Dxbolton]

Agree with that bit which is why I chose the panels for my TFS so that I didn't have to.

Super thread DxB- it just shows how quickly you can get to a driveable car following the delivery of the panels. That's a nice gelcoat finish- well done to Chris and Dan for that. The colour matches well.

I didn't get on with tripod headlights so ditched mine for a standard set. And remember, there's more to life than stressing over panel gaps!!!

Good luck onward to completion.

I will need to adjust lights for height as I haven’t done that yet.
The gel coat has been wet sanded with 500, 1000 & 1500 before compounding with G3, and the results are very good. I’ve only done boot lid and smaller bonnet lid so far. I might buy a new sander to help as mine is old and was used heavily on other projects before.

 

[IanA]

My problem with the tripod lights was with the central cowl that shrouds the bulb. Even Nightbreaker 200 bulbs didn't give me the beam pattern or output that I wanted in an everyday car. Putting those bulbs in a standard config unit sorted that.
I got down to 600 discs on my DA sander before sending to paint. I've seen other polished gel coats and have been impressed with what can be achieved, especially the Z3GT at Stoneleigh this year.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Liking this - will look stunning when complete

 

[IanA]

I'll be interested to know where appropriate bumpers come from.
Chrome plated GRP?

 

[Dxbolton]

I'll be interested to know where appropriate bumpers come from.
Chrome plated GRP?

Ian
If you look at the boot handle it’s a Chrome Spray, and this will be used for the bumpers too.
once coated it has a clear lacquer to maintain the shine like paint work on a car.
it’s a newish technology and much cheaper than chrome plating, which I don’t think is an option on non metallic items

 

[IanA]

That looks encouraging. The Spray Chrome gallery on their website has some impressive results.
Should make for some great looking items on your 507.

 

[Jezza]

Side grilles have caused lots of head scratching and I’ve looked at numerous options. I’ve opted for M3 side grilles although I’d have liked something a bit larger like the original car. The idea was to install led indicators at the rear of the grille but unfortunately they didn’t show enough light. A friend had two small indicators that fitted between the grill fins so I have fitted those too. We think they are off a motorbike and removed from a larger housing.

I like the side vents, but I would swap them around so the sloping side faces the front. That way it follows the line of both the wheelarch and the door panel. Just my thoughts.

 

[Dxbolton]

I like the side vents, but I would swap them around so the sloping side faces the front. That way it follows the line of both the wheelarch and the door panel. Just my thoughts.

I thought hard about this.
the grilles lend themselves to the bmw badge being where I have them due to their design and the original car was rounded at the rear with squarer front end.
either way would have worked but thus is easier to change later should I try to get new ones made that replicate the originals closer

 

[Dxbolton]

Today was playing with the bonnet insert and sorting out fixings. I used BigHead female blind collars which were stuck to the hood insert with ViduGlu. Once bonded I added extra grp to the front fixings for peace of mind as I don’t want it to part company whilst I’m driving.
once bonded 4 8mm bolts were installed to hold it all together.

 

[jaguartvr]

Nice to see another build, keep the updates coming.

Tributes kits get better with each new kit released. Look forward to seeing the door skins and handles fitted.

A couple of points to bear in mind.

The Z3 suffers from deadlocking, this is caused by a tiny amount of pressure on the door handle, I suffered from this with both the Tribute and DNA 250 kits, the solution is to run a wire from the XKE module to the boot that can be connected to the battery. For this reason, I would suggest that a key-operated boot lock be used or if you use the electric button on the 500 handle do not wire it into the BMW central locking, keep it separate. If you go the electric route you will need to add some tails to the battery terminals that can be connected to a battery charger otherwise if the battery goes flat you will not be able to get in.

GEP chrome plating.
This was used on the DNA 250's looked good but doesn't last very well. After about 3 years the chome goes yellow and I found it tends to bubble and peel. Nearly all the DNA cars have been retro fitted with stainless steel parts. It does depend on cost, how much was it to have the 500 boot handle chrome plated?

P700 Tripod lights

Look great but as Dave has pointed out the illumination is dire, you would be better off glueing a couple of candles to the frot of the car. I have to drive on main beam all the time and have never been flashed. The bulb in these lights is coved by a chrome cap which directs the light back onto the reflector, I think this is the cause of the problem. You can get stick on lead strip, designed to be fixed to a hose window to give the effect of "leaded light" windows, I intend to try this on a standard headlight to try and replicate the P700 look but keeping a good light beam.

Wire wheel plug!

German cars of this era didn't fit wire wheels, I think they were still using up old stock pf Panzer tank wheels. I do think chome wires would look great. I can supply 15x6 chrome wire wheels, hubs and spinners for £1650 with £100 off to forum members. The hubs bolt on using the exixting BMW wheel bolts so if you get a bad puncture the wheel and hub can be removed at the roadside and the space saver wheel fitted to get you home, PM me if interested.


Link to door locking wiring modification

Door deadlocking solved! - Madabout Kitcars Forum

Door deadlocking solved! Tribute Automotive Builds

www.madabout-kitcars.com

 

[DaveP]

Great points Steve.

That wire to the XKE module is modding gold. Not tempted to add a 507 to the collection ?

 

[jaguartvr]

The shape doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. It is however a great addition to the Tribute range.
I still have an unstarted 250swb convertible and 2x 250 Californias to do as well as finishing the Daytona spyder.

 

[IanA]

Today was playing with the bonnet insert and sorting out fixings...

That is all looking so good. I hope you can get the bumpers to do it justice.
I was interested to read in the €2m auction blurb about the various design influences, ie not Italian.
They certainly came up with a classic shape.

 

[Dxbolton]

Been a bit slow but the rear tub is now installed And the nearside rear light unit. I just need to make a small bracket to mount reverse and fog lights under the rear edge. I have high power LED’s so they are small and hopefully unobtrusive

 

[DaveP]

Been a bit slow but the rear tub is now installed And the nearside rear light unit. I just need to make a small bracket to mount reverse and fog lights under the rear edge. I have high power LED’s so they are small and hopefully unobtrusive

Looking good. You have wiring dials for the lights etc ?

 

[Dxbolton]

Hi Dave, I have a copy of your diagrams which were very helpful. The front was spot on but the rear has different colour wires so I’m updating it to match my colour code. It’s a late 1998 car so I guess they changed colours at some point

 

[Dxbolton]

Hi Dave, I have a copy of your diagrams which were very helpful. The front was spot on but the rear has different colour wires so I’m updating it to match my colour code. It’s a late 1998 car so I guess they changed colours at some point

Just realised wires are different colours on either side of the connecting wiring block
this explains the differences

 

[Dxbolton]

Today was like the hokey cokey with the bootlid, on off on off. Eventually a 2mm thick washer under one bolt
made the lid line up
I welded the locating ball back onto the bracket so both gas struts would work. These are the original Z3 hinges so the struts push on the hinges and not the bodywork or boot skin so it should not cause warping to the skin at a later date.
The 507 handle is now fitted and I’ll wire up the number plate lights tomorrow that are in the handle. Then it’s onto the lock mechanism.
The reverse and fog light LED’s were fitted on the lower edge and drivers side wired in. Passenger side to be wired tomorrow.
A good day.

 

[Dxbolton]

Time for the next instalment! Fitting the boot lock and release.
I’m using the Fiat 500 handle with a VW transporter electric boot release.
I have found a constant 12v live wire in the boot and ran a wire into the car to a hidden switch so I can keep the boot locked if needed. I haven’t found a way to make the central locking to work yet but have a few ideas that need researching.

 

[Dxbolton]

The latch on the bootlid will be braced with welded edges to box up the bracket and stiffen it, and then fixed into position on the boot lid. I can then adjust it height wise for a firm lock.